Kathy Dooley

Dooley Noted: 9/17/2013 My sister told me yesterday that my dad brags about me to the oncologist. Dad: “You know, my daughter is a doctor. I wish she lived closer so she could take care of me during all of this.” It’s not easy living far away from the people that give me life. My dad would never say those words directly to me, because he knows I’m on a mission. My dad’s tumor is … Read more

Dooley Noted: 9/16/2013 I have never been one to need accolades, especially for things I have a blast doing in this life. But this past year, I’ve realized how truly pointless ego is. Exhibit A I am a member of the StrongFirst community, a beautiful group of people who lift heavy things and live by a principle set. But no one outside of us knows who we are. When I was in shock and awe … Read more

Dooley Noted: 9/15/2013 You’ve been diagnosed with depression. You’re under the care of a qualified professional, who prescribes an anti-depressant. You are told it takes 2-3 weeks to go into effect. Does that make sense? If you had a true biochemical imbalance/neurotransmitter dysfunction, wouldn’t you see immediate changes? Why does it take 2-3 weeks? Several research studies have shown placebo to be just as effective as these drugs. Most likely the 2-3 week time frame … Read more

Dooley Noted: 9/14/2013 You will have naysayers, for every day you have something to say. Stay your course. You will have people befriend you, just to bask in your light -then fail to defend you when you need it. Stay your course. You will have colleagues that pretend to comfort you – while they use your struggles to build themselves up. Stay your course. You will face people that build walls, telling you it’s impossible … Read more

Dooley Noted: 9/13/2013 Coach Harris: Dooley, you can’t throw shade! Dooley: I can’t?! Coach Harris: No! It looks goofy. It’s not Dooley. Man, Coach Harris knows when to call it. On the subway yesterday, some very well-dressed females eyeballed me as they discussed my Vibram five finger footwear. They threw their shade. As I made eye contact with them, I considered throwing it back. Then I realized the truth: We are a reflection of our … Read more

Dooley Noted: 9/12/2013 There is an understanding between people in New York City. New Yorkers are the stars of their own movies. Everyone is busy, and everyone is trying to make life work. It’s lovely. It’s inspiring. So, one can’t be surprised to find the flip side of the coin. New Yorkers pass through each other. They aren’t cold. They just will not give attention unless it is absolutely necessary. It is a survival mechanism … Read more

Dooley Noted: 9/11/2013 Patient: “Doctor Dooley, how many of these are we going to do?” Dooley: “I have no idea. Until they are consistently right, so however long that takes.” If you want someone watching the clock, give them reps. If you want a focused patient, you might want to try leaving numbers out of this. Now, people LOVE a quantitative measure. They want to feel productive – like they’ve accomplished something. Numbers are relatable. … Read more

Dooley Noted: 9/10/13 I was asked if I wanted breakfast on a flight. I declined. The reason? I rarely eat breakfast. But what would they have served, had I said yes? It’s not a mystery. The guy next to me had breakfast. One glass orange juice = 25 g One glass milk, for cereal = 13 g At least 2 cups of wheat cereal = 60 g One medium croissant = 21 g One packet … Read more

Dooley Noted: 9/7/2013 As a kid, I remember eating some carb-laden cereal and pouring carb-laden cow’s milk over it. I remember going to class and feeling hungry an hour or two later. I always said to myself, “What was the point of eating that cereal if I was just going to be hungry an hour later?” I suppose those years of cereal-eating were foreshadowing. I still think carbs for breakfast make no sense. Cortisol is … Read more